Travel to Adelaide

Travel to Adelaide

Adelaide is the capital of southern Australia andfor decades is hasbeen nicknamed the City of Churches'. It is home to over one million people and is a cultural hotpot. The citys surrounding areas are home to many wineries, which produce some of Australias best wine, as well as beautiful countryside and native wildlife. Today, Adelaide is an increasingly popular tourist destination, offering tourists the chance to appreciate culture and nature together.

Transportation to Adelaide

Travel to Adelaide consists of many options of varying comfort and price. Most tourists arrive by air at Adelaide International Airport. The airport is a substantial building, with three terminals and a wide array of facilities. Many national and international destinations are served from Adelaide.

It is also possible to arrive in the city by rail. All of the major cities in Australia have routes either terminating at or passing through Adelaide. These include Melbourne, Sydney and Darwin. Travelling by bus into Adelaide is another option, which again is cheaper than flying and therefore suits budget travellers. Routes include Sydney, Melbourne and Alice Springs. Journeys are long, but buses are comfortable and there are regular stops where you can out and stretch your legs.

Driving to Adelaide is another popular option. Many people incorporate the journeys into their holidays and try and see as many sights en route as possible. Journeys are long and should be spread out over a couple of days to ensure that you do not get too tired.

Adelaide can be reached from Sydney by following the M5 and the Hume Highway, with a journey time of approximately 20 hours. Travelling from Melbourne isachieved by following the Great Ocean road or Prices Highway; the journey is only 8 hours. If you are driving from Perth, you need to follow the Great Eastern and Princes Highway, which is a much longer journey of 34 hours, whereas to arrive from Alice Springs, it takes 17 hours along the Stuart Highway.

What to see

Adelaide is known to many as the City of Churches. Therefore, as the name suggests,there are numerous churches to be visited and explored. Many date back to the 19th century and offer an insight into early religious life in the city. There are also several museums depicting life in the area from as early as the tribal times, before Adelaides formation. The Migration Museum and Aboriginal Institute of Culture are two of the most popular choices.

If you would rather chill out and relax, the surrounding beaches offer plenty of entertainment and relaxation opportunities for both old and young. The beaches are popular with water sports enthusiasts, especially surfers, as well as with families and sun-worshippers.

Daytrips

The surrounding countryside of Adelaide is well worth spending a day or two exploring. The Adelaide Hills are home to a wonderful wildlife sanctuary as well as offering stunning views of the entire area. The Barossa Valley can be found approximately 45kms northeast of Adelaide and is one of Australias most popular and most important wine regions. There are over 50 wineries to be found here, each offering samples. On the drive to the region, you will pass many traditional villages which are wellworth stopping to look at.

Activities and leisure

Water sports are extremely popular at the beaches in Adelaide. Surfing in particular is popular, both to partake in as well as watching. Skydiving has really taken off in the city, proving especially popular with tourists. Hiking is another popular activity. The Adelaide Hills offer hiking trails through wonderful woodlands as well as nature trails through animals habitats.

Safety issues

In general, Adelaide is regardedas being a very safe city to visit and tolive in. Unfortunately, due to the increasing tourist trade, petty thieves have started to congregate in tourist hotspots. The incidents of bag-snatching and pick-pocketing have risen, so it is vital that you use common sense and be alert of the possible risks to your belongings. We strongly recommend that you take out travel insurance for you and your family before you depart.